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Senior Dog Care

Expert Senior Dog Care: Keeping Your Loyal Companion Healthy in Their Golden Years

As our loyal canine companions age, they require specialised care to maintain their health and happiness in their senior years. At Sydney Animal Hospitals, our comprehensive Senior Dog Care services are designed to meet the unique needs of older dogs. From regular health check-ups to advanced medical treatments, we are committed to providing the best possible care to enhance your senior dog’s quality of life.

Expert Senior Dog Care: Keeping Your Loyal Companion Healthy in Their Golden Years

As our loyal canine companions age, they require specialised care to maintain their health and happiness in their senior years. At Sydney Animal Hospitals, our comprehensive Senior Dog Care services are designed to meet the unique needs of older dogs. From regular health check-ups to advanced medical treatments, we are committed to providing the best possible care to enhance your senior dog’s quality of life.

Did you know at 7 years old, your dog is considered a senior?

Dogs and cats over seven years of age are senior citizens in human years. Everyone gets older, and our best friends age faster than we do.

Time flies when you’re having fun. But at seven years young, your dog is nearing his or her 50th year.

At 10 years old dogs have reached retirement age.

At 12 years old dogs have hit 77 in human years.

Your dog’s age in human years (age varies based on weight and care).

Our special friends need special care in their older years. Note: This table is an approximation. As a rule, larger breeds age faster than smaller breeds.

As with humans, the need for health care increases with age in dogs and cats too. Like us, animals suffer from aches and pains related to ageing – see signs to look out for – but veterinarians at Sydney Animal Hospitals can help you ensure that ageing isn’t a pain for your best friend.

How old is your dog in human terms?

How old is your dog in human terms?

What they can’t tell you

Common age related conditions in cats:

Reduced metabolism and changing nutritional needs

Arthritis

Dental disease

Lumps and bumps

Loss of hearing and/or visual impairment

Kidney disease

Heart disease

Diabetes

Your dog may not be able to tell you when something is wrong. In fact, animals have evolved to hide signs of illness until it is quite advanced. See “signs to look out for” to learn if your dog is exhibiting any of these signs.

Our team at Sydney Animal Hospitals are trained to identify and address age-related problems in pets. By identifying these problems at an early stage they can be managed to ensure that senior pets enjoy an excellent quality of life.

Signs to Look Out For

If your dog exhibits any of the signs below, it’s time to visit your veterinarian:

Bad breath or difficulty eating

Reluctance to walk or exercise

Coughing or breathing difficulties

Increased thirst or urination

Lumps

Red or watery eyes

Changes in the skin or hair coat

Noticeable increase or decrease in body weight

Signs to Look Out For

If your dog exhibits any of the signs below, it’s time to visit your veterinarian:

Bad breath or difficulty eating

Reluctance to walk or exercise

Coughing or breathing difficulties

Increased thirst or urination

Lumps

Red or watery eyes

Changes in the skin or hair coat

Noticeable increase or decrease in body weight

Sydney Animal Hospitals Can Help

Veterinarians at Sydney Animal Hospitals are trained to identify and address age-related problems in cats early, so that they can be managed – ensuring that senior pets enjoy excellent quality of life.

We recommend six-monthly check-ups

Age-related conditions can be managed successfully with early diagnosis. A year in your senior pet’s life is five years in the life of a senior citizen, so we schedule six-monthly wellness checks to give your senior pet the best possible care.

Our aim is to identify any existing conditions and establish a baseline for your pet’s health, acting as a reference point for any future changes. Our Wellness exams for senior pets include:

An initial consultation includes:

Body condition score and weight check

Heart and general cardiovascular check-up

Musculoskeletal/arthritis check

Dental health check

Ophthalmology assessment

Examination of skin and ears

Assessment of lymph nodes

Assessment of lumps and bumps

Assessment of core body temperature

Blood and urine screen (complete blood count, biochemistry including kidney and liver indicators, thyroid levels and urinalysis)

Blood pressure check

Day stay (if required)

Tailored Treatment Plan for Your Dog

We provide a personalised plan to ensure you’re in the best position to help your pet maintain optimum health. Our team will address any problems identified and consult with you on:

Lifestyle plan tailored to your senior pet

Dental staging and recommended treatment

Dietary recommendations

Schedule for any further tests or treatment

Veterinarians at Sydney Animal Hospitals love dogs. We know how much your dog means to you, and we’re happy to develop a lifestyle plan that ensures your pet remains healthy and pain-free.

Tailored Treatment Plan for Your Dog

We provide a personalised plan to ensure you’re in the best position to help your pet maintain optimum health. Our team will address any problems identified and consult with you on:

Lifestyle plan tailored to your senior pet

Dental staging and recommended treatment

Dietary recommendations

Schedule for any further tests or treatment

Veterinarians at Sydney Animal Hospitals love dogs. We know how much your dog means to you, and we’re happy to develop a lifestyle plan that ensures your pet remains healthy and pain-free.
Contact a Sydney Animal Hospitals near you for more information on Senior pet Wellness Plans for your pet.

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